Junior Durkin

Junior Durkin

from Hell's House (1932)
Born Trent Bernard Durkin
(1915-07-02)July 2, 1915
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died May 4, 1935(1935-05-04) (aged 19)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Cause of death Road accident
Resting place Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, California
Nationality American
Other names Junior Dirkin
Trent Durkin
Occupation Actor
Years active 1923–1935

Junior Durkin (July 2, 1915 – May 4, 1935) was an American stage and film actor.

Career

Born Trent Bernard Durkin in New York City, he began his acting career in theater as a child. Durkin first appeared in films in 1930, playing the role of Huckleberry Finn in Tom Sawyer (1930), and Huckleberry Finn (1931), with Jackie Coogan playing the role of Tom Sawyer. Under contract to RKO Radio Pictures, he was cast in a series of “B” films in comedy roles that capitalized on his gangly appearance. He co-starred in Hell's House (1932) with then newcomer Bette Davis.

RKO began grooming him for more adult roles, and in his final film Chasing Yesterday (1935), he was billed as Trent Durkin.

Death

In 1935, Durkin was returning from a hunting trip in Mexico with Jackie Coogan, and three others, including Coogan's father and producer Robert J. Horner. Coogan's father had to swerve to avoid colliding with a car coming straight at him, and the car left the road, rolling repeatedly until it landed in a creek bed about 50 miles from San Diego, California. [1] Jackie Coogan was the only survivor.

At the time, Durkin was living with agent Henry Willson, and they reportedly were lovers.[2]

Trent Durkin was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1930 Recaptured Love Henry Parr
1930 Tom Sawyer Huckleberry Finn
1931 Huckleberry Finn Huckleberry Finn
1932 Hell's House Jimmy Mason Alternative title: Juvenile Court
Credited as Junior Dirkin
1933 Man Hunt William 'Junior' Scott, Jr.
1934 Big Hearted Herbert Junior Kalness Credited as Trent Durkin
1934 Ready for Love Joey Burke
1934 Little Men Franz
1934 Chasing Yesterday Henri Credited as Trent Durkin

References

  1. ↑ http://www3.gendisasters.com/california/9485/pine-valley-ca-john-coogan-sr-other-killed-may-1935
  2. ↑ Stern and Ian McKellen, Keith (2009). Queers in History. Dallas, Texas. p. 493. ISBN 978-1933771878.
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